Food Price Comparisons Over 25 years

Food price comparisons

These figures are based on cheapest supermarket prices found locally but they can be reduced if you are fortunate enough to live near a community larder, stores offering Too Good to Go or are in an area where food rescue via the Olio app is possible. Nowadays, we have so many options available to us to help cut food waste and food costs. Stick with the basics in your kitchen cupboards, keep tabs on your condiments, herbs and spices and anything is possible. The pennies make the pounds and a penny saved is a penny earned. Frugaldom is, ultimately, about frugal living and freedom - it is in the name. 

I began publishing articles about frugal living and money saving in 1999. The first ever challenge was known as 'The Scottish Pound' and was published in a local Scottish newspaper (Now You Know) as part of a challenge to make a main meal for a family of four every day for a week for under £10.00 The recipes and ingredients were all listed at the time and we did come in under budget.

As the years progressed, the challenges grew, then in 2007 almost all were transferred onto the Moneysavingexpert.com forums. Initially, it was the 'Living on £4,000 per Year' challenge but it later became known simply as the Frugal Living Challenge, as everyone's budget is unique to their household and circumstances. Other challenges included starting a business with £10, buying a house without a mortgage, £1,000 in 100 days, and the sealed pot challenge - one I am about to reintroduce, but with a slight twist. There was also a rather quirky little savings challenge knowns as the 'EEK', which represented the Everything Else Kitty. The original frugal living challenge still continues to this day. The motto remains the same, 

"The less I spend, the more I can afford."